Books and Bears Program Kicks Off 27th Annual Drive

Books and Bears recognizes the service of employees in the university's Facilities Management Department by providing children's gifts for more than 50 families. The goal is to ensure that each employee can choose at least one book, one bear and an additional toy for their families.

New toys, dolls, books, bicycles and other children's items can be dropped off through Dec. 18. Drop-off locations are:

• Barnard Hall, first floor
• Bishop Hall, second floor
• Brevard Hall, first floor lobby
• Carrier Hall, Room 201F
• Farley Hall, first floor
• Faser Hall, first floor
• FedEx Student-Athlete Academic Support Center
• George Hall, first floor
• Guyton Hall, third floor
• Holman Hall, School of Business Administration offices
• Jackson Avenue Center, Department of Human Resources
• Lamar Hall, third floor
• Lyceum, first floor​
• Martindale-Cole Hall, Career Center
• Powers Hall, first floor
• Robert C. Khayat Law Center, Room 2075
• Shoemaker Hall, Room 204
• Somerville Hall, Office of Conflict Resolution
• South Campus Recreation Center, Room NW 1763
• Student Union, Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement
• Vardaman Hall, Room 201
• Ventress Hall, first floor lobby

"This program is a beautiful reminder of the power of community," said Elizabeth Moore, director of the UM Speaking Center and a co-chair of the Books and Bears Committee. "We are incredibly grateful to our Facilities Management employees, who work to keep our campus beautiful."

Besides donating toys and book to the drive, member of the community can also support the effort with monetary gifts. Money can be donated at the Mississippi Federal Credit Union for the Books and Bears account.

Basketball fans also can drop off toys, books and other items at the Ole Miss women's basketball games against Tennessee State, at 1 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 8), or against South Alabama, at 2 p.m. Dec. 15, or at the Rebels men's game against Southern University, at 6 p.m. Dec. 17. Collection boxes will be available at the entrances of The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.

Donated items will be distributed to families at 9 a.m. Dec. 20 in the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union Ballroom.

The Black Faculty and Staff Organization sponsors the annual drive, which began in 1997.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, Staff Council, Gamma Beta Phi honor society and Mortar Board are among the program's supporters. 

For more information about monetary gifts and donations, email booksandbears@olemiss.edu or contact Books and Bears co-chairs Britnee Barnes at barnesb@olemiss.edu or 662-915-5065, Elizabeth Moore at emmoore5@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2121, or Marquita Smith, president of the Black Faculty and Staff Organization, at smithms@olemiss.edu or 662-915-7146.

Top: Staff members from the Facilities Management Department choose books and toys for their families during the 2023 Books and Bears event. Donations are being accepted for this year's Books and Bears, which distributes hundreds of new children's books and toys donated by Ole Miss faculty, staff, students and alumni.  Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services